You've decided to feed raw. Now you need to know how much.
Search for a raw dog food calculator and you'll find dozens. Most of them ask for your dog's weight and apply a simple rule: feed 2-3% of body weight per day. For a deeper look at why that method falls short, see How Much Raw Food Should I Feed My Dog.
It's a starting point. But it's not a very precise one.
Why 2-3% Does Not Work for Every Dog
Two dogs can weigh 25kg and need completely different amounts of food. A neutered Labrador who sleeps most of the day burns far fewer calories than an intact working Spaniel at the same weight.
The percentage method ignores everything except weight: activity level, neuter status, age, body condition, and the caloric density of the food itself. It's a rough average that happens to work for roughly average dogs.
If your dog is not average (and most are not), the percentage method can overfeed or underfeed them. Not dramatically, but enough to matter over months.
What a Better Calculator Does
The method used in veterinary practice is based on metabolic energy requirements. It works in two steps.
First, it calculates your dog's resting energy requirement (RER), the energy they need just to exist. This uses a standardised formula that accounts for the fact that metabolic rate does not scale linearly with body weight.
Second, it adjusts for real life. Activity level, neuter status, age, and body condition each modify the base requirement. A high-activity intact dog might need 50% more calories than a low-activity neutered dog at the same weight.
The result is a daily calorie target specific to your dog. Divide that by the caloric density of the food, and you get a precise daily portion in grams.
This is the method our calculator uses.
What this means for you: Your dog's plan is based on their size, age, and activity level. Not a rough rule of thumb.
Why the Food Matters Too
Here is something most calculators ignore entirely: different foods have different calorie counts.
Raw foods vary widely in energy density, and not in a way you can predict from the protein on the label. Two recipes from the same brand can differ by several hundred kcal per kilo. UK labelling doesn't require an energy declaration either, so it often isn't printed. If a calculator tells you to feed 400g a day without knowing which food you're feeding, the calorie intake can be off by a fifth or more.
This is why a calculator needs to know the food, not just the dog. Our calculator is built for Protocol Raw Complete, a single recipe with a consistent energy density. The portion it gives you is calibrated to the actual food your dog will eat.
One recipe, one calculation: Because the food never changes, your dog's portion stays right from the first box to the hundredth. No adjusting when a different recipe arrives.
What Our Calculator Asks
We ask for the details that materially affect your dog's energy needs, then convert that into a daily portion based on the caloric density of Protocol Raw Complete.
Your dog's life stage. Puppy, adult, or senior. Each has different energy multipliers.
Your dog's weight. The starting point for any metabolic calculation.
Activity level. Low, moderate, or high. This makes a bigger difference than most people expect.
Neuter status. Intact dogs have higher metabolic rates than neutered dogs.
Body condition. Underweight, ideal, or overweight. An overweight dog needs fewer calories, not a percentage of a higher body weight.
From these inputs, the calculator produces a precise daily portion, a recommended box size, and a delivery frequency. You can also adjust for treats after seeing your results, so the main meal portion accounts for those extra calories.
It takes about 60 seconds.
Try It
Our calculator is free to use. No account required. No email required.
Enter your dog's details and see exactly what they need.